§ 1. Sir Herbert Williamsasked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that, in the U.S.A., there has now been authorised an increase of goods for civilian consumption, in view of the decline in demand for certain war goods; and whether he is prepared to take steps in a similar direction so far as this country is concerned.
§ The President of the Board of Trade (Mr. Dalton)Yes, Sir; and I shall be glad to take steps such as my hon. Friend suggests, as soon as circumstances permit, but, as I informed my hon. Friend, the Member for Aylesbury (Sir S. Reed) last Tuesday, the principal factor now limiting the production of goods, both for home consumption and for export, is the supply of labour, on which, at this critical stage of the war, ever-increasing demands are being made, and will continue to be made, in support of our military operations.
§ Sir H. WilliamsDo I understand the right hon. Gentleman to say that the demand for labour is diminishing in the United States and is increasing in this country?
§ Mr. DaltonIt is increasing in this country but it is not diminishing in the United States, according to my information. I was interested to read the paper which my hon. Friend was kind enough to send to me, "The Journal of Trusts and Estates," for January, 1944, but I think the expectations there expressed are very exaggerated.
§ Mr. MolsonMay I ask whether the expansion of our export trade is not even more urgent than the production of goods for the home market?
§ Mr. DaltonYes, Sir, but it is not more urgent than the expansion of our bridgehead in Normandy.